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The PRO14 playoffs are now confirmed and with the Aviva Premiership and French Top 14 facing a dramatic finish next weekend, there is still much to play for with playoff places up for grabs and team eager to book a place in next season's Champions Cup.

McFarland told his new club's website: "I am really excited that I will be taking on the Ulster head coach role. I know first hand from my years visiting with Connacht and Glasgow the passion and fervour that makes playing in front of Ulster fans so special.

"It's a club with a great history and I welcome the challenge of being a part of their future."

McFarland spent almost a decade in the Connacht coaching ranks before moving to Glasgow in 2015 before following Gregor Townsend into the Scotland setup last year.

The SRU revealed McFarland would leave the national set-up in mid-January as he serves a nine-month notice period during their recruitment search.

Worcester head coach Carl Hogg has been drafted into the Scotland set-up on an interim basis and will share forwards-coaching duties with McFarland on their summer tour of the Americas.